Kevin Bennett killing: Three boys deny murder

Kevin Bennett died in hospital six days after the attack in August 2012

A homeless man was kicked and punched to death for a "dare" in an attack by three teenage boys, Liverpool Crown Court has heard.

Kevin Bennett, 53, was attacked near the Iceland supermarket in Walton Road, Walton, around 05:30 BST on 17 August.

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries but died six days later.

The boys, who cannot be named, have admitted being in the area at the time but have pleaded not guilty to murdering him.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the three boys, one aged 16 and two aged 14, in the vicinity of the attack.

Alan Conrad QC, for the prosecution, told the court that one of the 14-year-olds told a friend when they saw "an old fella" [Mr Bennett] that the 16-year-old boy said: "Bet you haven't got in you to do him in."

The 14-year-old is alleged to have later told a friend: "I started kicking him. I booted him, now he's dead."

'Terrible noises'

Later a family friend recalled hearing the boy saying: "I kicked him in the head and I stood on his ribs. The noises were terrible."

Mr Conrad said the other 14-year-old had kept a lookout while the attack took place.

He told the court that Mr Bennett was a heavy drinker and was seen on CCTV staggering about.

A member of the public saw that he was injured and called emergency services.

The court was told he had severe facial injuries, broken bones, both of his lungs were bruised and he had a broken eye socket.

A post-mortem examination found his injuries were consistent with multiple kicks or punches to the body.

A woman, 42, is also accused of providing a false alibi for two of the boys. She has denied a charge of perverting the course of justice.